9 year old son and I doing our 1st computer build

[hddpbd]

This build will be for ripping, streaming, surfing and light gaming.

CPU
Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core

Motherboard
MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150

Memory
Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600

Storage
Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" SSD

Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM

Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM

Case
Cooler Master HAF XM (Black) ATX Mid Tower

Power Supply
SeaSonic 550W ATX12V / EPS12V

Optical Drive
LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)

Monitor
Asus VE247H 23.6"

Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000 w/Optical Mouse

Thoughts, opinions, ideas and comments welcome.

Thank You for your input.

 

[P1nnacle]

May want to think about adding a graphics card, depends on how light the gaming is you're talking about. Other than that have fun, I remember when my dad helped me build my first. If only he knew what he started...

 

[Robert Pankiw]

Hey, a few questions about your build. First and foremost is the choice of processor and lack of a solid graphics subsystem. Second is the odd arrangement of storage subsystem. Third, who is the primary user, your son or yourself, or both equally? Lastly, any reason why those component? Can I assume you live in the USA? If you don't, the prices are different. Do note that these are (nearly) the parts you selected. The price is way too high for a 'light gaming' machine.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.97 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($85.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XM (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($44.53 @ Amazon)
Total: $1218.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-12 22:15 EDT-0400)

Considering what you'd be using the PC for, this is my revised list of parts. I kept the GPU the same, and I assumed you picked the case because you liked it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H87M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($85.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XM (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($43.44 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($44.53 @ Amazon)
Total: $961.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-12 22:26 EDT-0400)

$250 might not be much for you, especially depending on how you look at the parts, but it is a fair chunk of change. Let me know what you think!

 

[hddpbd]

Hey, a few questions about your build. First and foremost is the choice of processor and lack of a solid graphics subsystem. Second is the odd arrangement of storage subsystem. Third, who is the primary user, your son or yourself, or both equally? Lastly, any reason why those component? Can I assume you live in the USA? If you don't, the prices are different. Do note that these are (nearly) the parts you selected. The price is way too high for a 'light gaming' machine.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.97 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($85.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XM (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($44.53 @ Amazon)
Total: $1218.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-12 22:15 EDT-0400)

Considering what you'd be using the PC for, this is my revised list of parts. I kept the GPU the same, and I assumed you picked the case because you liked it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H87M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($85.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XM (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($43.44 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($44.53 @ Amazon)
Total: $961.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-12 22:26 EDT-0400)

$250 might not be much for you, especially depending on how you look at the parts, but it is a fair chunk of change. Let me know what you think!

Thank you for taking the time to read and reply to our post. Yes I live in the USA.
I will share with you the logic (or lack of) related to your questions.
1." First and foremost is the choice of processor..."- I went with the I7 for the hyperthreading hoping to speed up the ripping and transcoding of dvd and blu-ray discs using AnyDVD and Handbrake.
2. "Second is the odd arrangement of storage subsystem."- I agree it seems odd. The intent was to use the ssd for the OS and other programs we use the most. The 1tb WD blue is for normal daily use and storage. The 2tb WD green is for the the ripped and transcoded movies. I have lots of movies and assume I will be adding additional storage for that purpose.
3. "Third, who is the primary user, your son or yourself, or both equally?"-
The computer is for family use. My son for homework, surfing, and playing Mine Craft and similar games. My wife for surfing, MS Office, and playing Sims 3. I will be using it for the ripping and streaming with Apple TV.
4."lack of a solid graphics subsystem."- I did not see a need for a graphics card for our intended use at this time, I figured if we need one I could add it later.
5. "Lastly, any reason why those component?"- No, other than wanting to stay with Intel. For me Seagate vs WD is a coin flip. I went with WD for the warrenty, the specific drives I chose was simply best guess.

I will take a look at the components that you have suggested. Thanks again for your time, if you have any further input feel free to add.

 

[hddpbd]

May want to think about adding a graphics card, depends on how light the gaming is you're talking about. Other than that have fun, I remember when my dad helped me build my first. If only he knew what he started...

I am sure that I'm in over my head but thought it would be a fun learning experience for both of us.

 

[P1nnacle]

May want to think about adding a graphics card, depends on how light the gaming is you're talking about. Other than that have fun, I remember when my dad helped me build my first. If only he knew what he started...

I am sure that I'm in over my head but thought it would be a fun learning experience for both of us.

Best advice I can give you is to take it slowly. My dad bought me a how to build your own comp book and made me read the whole thing, then we only did one or two parts a day and he had me review it. Made me so mad at the time because I was ready to go, but definitely made me a better IT tech today.